KUALA LUMPUR: The decision on leave for workers for Covid-19 vaccinations will be made only after engaging with stakeholders and worker unions, says Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan.
He said that the issue of taking off for a whole day for employees after receiving vaccination has to be looked into carefully as it may affect the flow of industries and added that he has spoken to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba on the issue.
"The Human Resource Ministry will only make its decision on giving a day off for workers who receive the vaccination after we have spoken to union representatives such as the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC)," said Saravanan.
He was replying to the question of how the Human Resources Ministry will support the announcement of the plan to give a day off for employees who received the jabs to recover after.
On Monday (April 5), Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said workers may be allowed to take the day off to get their Covid-19 vaccination.
Khairy said he would bring the matter up with the Human Resources Ministry at the Special Committee on Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee (JKJAV) meeting to decide whether or not to make it compulsory for employers to grant their workers a day off from work to get vaccinated.
“We will make the announcement once an agreement is reached. Employers cannot stop workers from keeping their vaccination appointments, ” said Khairy.
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